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In Search of The World’s Best Hair Ties
An Honest Hair Ties Review
When I started looking for hair ties online, I must have read 15 reviews on “the best hair ties” where none of the “authors” even tested the damn hair ties! Therefore I took it upon myself to conduct my own review.
After thorough research and extensive testing, I’ve compiled my honest and candid evaluation of a dozen different hair ties, elastics and ponytail holders. Based on these results, I’ve determined which I believe are truly the best hair ties.
The Backstory On This Evaluation
As two guys growing long hair for the first time in our late 20s and early 30s, we started using hair ties out of necessity (i.e. to get our damn hair out of our face). Exploring our options in the women’s hair care aisle at various retail stores, we were unimpressed.
Searching online for better hair ties, we found one “hair ties review” after another where the author apparently hadn’t even used or tested the hair ties. Most of these turned out to be affiliate links and big-brand SEO tactics.
We didn’t get any closer to finding the best hair ties, but it became clear: if we wanted better hair ties, we’d have to make them ourselves.
In Search Of
The Best Hair Ties
Materials, design, quality, durability and staying power. You might be more familiar with these terms in construction, but you probably haven’t used them in a discussion about the best hair ties. Until now.
The Basic Rounders
The basic, entry-level hair tie. They’re inexpensive, they come in bulk, they don’t make you look like a girl. Probably the most common hair ties for first-time longhairs.
Pros:
- Basic
- Come in packs of 10-1,000
- Don’t look overly feminine
- Really cheap
Cons:
- Snap easily
- Sharp edges when stretched and twisted
- Kink your hair
- Thousands vanish annually with no plausible explanation
Comments:
Despite their setbacks, these seemed to be the standard issue for guys with long hair.
The Rubber Rounders
Similar to the basic rounders, these have a rubbery texture, marketed as “no-slip grip” and “STRONG hold.” Interesting design with some noteworthy features.
Pros:
- Don’t slip out as easily
- Don’t look feminine
- Don’t form a sharp edge
Cons:
- Instead they yank the hair out of your skull
- Kink your hair
- May cut off the circulation to your wrist resulting in amputation
Comments:
A serviceable option when you need a firm hold for a long period of time. Not the best hair ties if you’re going to be taking it out and re-tying often, and they still break easily.
The Coil Rounders
Virtually identical to basic rounders but constructed with a metallic coil weaved into the material. If this extra coil serves any purpose other than acting like a miniature razor blade slicing open your hair cuticles, we couldn’t find it.
Pros:
- Don’t break as easily
Cons:
- Slices your hair cuticles open
- Damages hair
- Kinks hair
- Twinkly
Comments:
Not recommended under normal circumstances. Unless you’re under severe duress, it’s simply not worth the damage to your hair.
The Weavers
Interesting design essentially weaves three thin basic rounders together into a single braided hair tie. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but the braided design mitigates the disadvantages of a single basic rounder.
Pros:
- Very flexible
- Little pressure on the hair
- No yanking
- Reasonable hold
Cons:
- Hair can get caught in the weave and get pulled out
- Still some sharp edges when stretched and twisted
- Slips off easily
- Stretch out quickly
Comments:
Twisting still causes a sharper edge, but this is mitigated by the weave. They also have a unique appearance in your hair, making these a solid option, though they do stretch out somewhat quickly.
The Rounded Flats
An engineering modification to the basic rounders has resulted in a flatter design while maintaining key attributes. Considered cutting edge in their heyday, these sturdy hair ties have reduced crimping and improved staying power over the rounders.
Pros:
- Strong hold
- Solid construction
- Flat design doesn’t kink your hair as much
Cons:
- Sharp edges when stretched and twisted
- Can feel bulky in your hair
- Snap under any considerable weight
Comments:
Solid overall. In general a flatter design will increase the surface area in contact with your hair, thereby distributing pressure more evenly and reducing kinkage. As different brands use different materials, you want to find these as soft as possible, limiting the sharp edge resulting from stretching and twisting.
The Spiked Flats
Interesting new feature on the rounded flats. Tiny inward-facing rubber spikes purported to increase hold and prevent slippage. At first we were worried they’d be really rough on the hair, yet we found them surprisingly gentle.
Pros:
- Strong hold
- Surprisingly gentle
- Benefits of the the rounded flats
Cons:
- Extra friction points cause additional stress on your hair
- Pulls hair out on removal
- Still form sharp edges when stretched and twisted
- Snap under any considerable weight
- Not great on your wrist
Comments:
Gimmicky but a working option. Good for athletic use, although sweat may increase friction with the rubber spikes, meaning you don’t want to pull them out right after a heavy sweat.
The Nylon Rollers
Designed for fit and comfort, the rollers are manufactured with a nylon blend that is soft to the touch and easy on the hair. Essentially flat to begin with, the thin, seamless material “rolls” in on itself forming a double-walled construction which returns to shape after use.
Pros:
- Very soft, little stress on the hair
- Flatter design doesn’t kink your hair as much
- Removal is easy, no yanking
- Not prone to snapping
- Stretching and twisting doesn’t create a sharp edge
Cons:
- Stretch out somewhat quickly
- Basically useless when wet
- Limited holding power
- Not best for strenuous activities
Comments:
A good design. Where they lack is in the athletic department. Not the best hair ties for being active, they slip out easily, and don’t perform well when wet.
The Scrunchis
Popularized for decades by little girls, the classic scrunchi can be found prevalently at elementary schools across the United States.
Pros:
- They hold your hair
Cons:
- Looser hold
- Very frilly
- Pink with polka dots
- Called a scrunchi
- Likely to get you confused for a teenage girl
Comments:
Tough to recommend these for manly men.
The Spirals
An interesting option introduced to me by a friend. They’re vinyl coated rather than a traditional elastic. The idea is they’ll hold the hair securely without the additional compression needed with most other designs, i.e. twisting it three or four times.
Pros:
- Not overly tight on your hair
- Virtually no kinkage
- Little stress on your hair
- They’re a little different
Cons:
- Can’t pull them very tight
- Not as snug of hold
- Vinyl causes friction against your hair
- Can get tangled in your hair under certain conditions
Comments:
Might not be your go-to option, but worth trying out. They’ll give you a different look and feel, and a little something new to add to your quiver.
The Ribbon Flats
Entering onto the scene more recently, this style has seemingly become popular. Basically a flat piece of nylon with a knot in it, often printed with flowers, Disney characters and pastel colors.
Pros:
- No sharp edges
- Gentle on the hair
- Won’t snap
- Printed with designs
Cons:
- Not the greatest hold
- Nylon material wears out
- Designs are mostly girly
- Smaller loops can be tight around the wrist
Comments:
A decent option, but leaving strength and durability to be desired. The ribbon-like nylon material doesn’t have as much elasticity, thus lacking holding power. It also has a sheen, almost a sparkle, that’s rather frilly, and most of the prints we found were pretty girly.
The Garter
Yes, that garter. Less functional, more aesthetic. If you manage to catch it you pretty much have to put this in your hair, as few visual demonstrations will more effectively illustrate your commitment to partying hard at this wedding.
Pros:
- Makes a statement
- Demonstrates commitment
- Ensures other party-goers will know who’s boss
Cons:
- Limited availability
- Strong box-out move and the possibility of combat to acquire
- Likely to be removed after a short time for hair whipping
- Literally a female undergarment on your head
- Not suitable outside of the wedding environment
Comments:
Pretty clear cut here. If you catch it, use it.
What These Hair Ties Have In Common
Of all the hair ties we found, tested and reviewed….no thought was apparently taken for men with long hair. These were all purchased in the women’s hair care aisle (except the garter, which was purchased in a different women’s aisle), and they’re all designed and marketed for women.
Which is all fine and good…but where are the hair ties for guys?
Early Prototypes
In our search for the best hair ties, we finally began making our own.
Testing different materials, binding techniques, printing options and other variables, we arrived at the crossroads of simplicity, comfort and functionality.
The Making of The World’s Best Hair Ties
Our quest to make an idea real continued. In this rare documentary footage, follow The Longhairs through our production team meetings, from prototypes, to factory samples, through patience and disappointment, to the moment when you can see the look in El Rubio’s eyes: we finally got it.
Capped off with the original announcement and invitation to the Hair Ties For Guys launch party in December, 2015, this is the history of the world’s best hair ties.
